Paper folding device

ABSTRACT

A paper folding device ( 1 ) adapted to be attached to a digit of a hand comprises a rotatable member ( 5 ) attached to the body ( 2 ) of the device via a rotatable attachment means ( 7 ), whereby the rotatable member ( 5 ) rotates in relation to the body ( 2 ). The rotatable member ( 5 ), in use, is rolled along a fold of pulp based material and communicates pressure from the device ( 1 ) to the pulp based material to form a creased line.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a paper folding device, in particular to apaper folding device for use with folding large sheets of paper indesign offices, architects' practices, printing establishments or thelike.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

The closest prior art known to the applicant is U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,604which discloses an apparatus. for creasing the folded edges ofcontinuous paper products that incorporates a pair creasing tools. Thecreasing tools are two cylindrically shaped tools, which are positionedon either side with the folded edge of a continuous paper product withaxes parallel to each other and perpendicular to the folded edge.

The disadvantage of the known paper folder apparatus is that thecreasing tools are integral to a printing process in which two creasingtools are applied to either side of a folded edge of a continuouslyconveyed printed product. This apparatus cannot be used within anon-mass production environment where the printed product is typically asingle sheet of printed product which is manually handled and folded bythe hand of a user, such as a draughtsman, architect or the like.

Also, the problem of folding drawings is that the person often folds thepaper over and runs their thumb or finger along the fold to form acrease-line. This leads to possible abrasions and risks irritatingand/or the cutting of the skin.

The present invention seeks to provide a remedy/solution for theseproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad independent the invention provides a paper folding deviceadapted to be attached to a digit of a hand, comprising a rotatablemember attached to the body of said device via a rotatable attachmentmeans, whereby said rotatable member rotates in relation to said body;wherein said rotatable member, in use, is rolled along a fold of pulpbased material and communicates pressure from said device to said pulpbased material to form a creased line.

The advantage of this configuration is that it enables the user of thedevice to crease a sheet of paper through the use of one of a finger orthumb, with out the possibility of incurring any paper cuts orabrasions. The downward pressure applies the pressure to the fold,without the naked finger or thumb making contact with the paper. Theroller provides a means of easing the movement of the device along thelength of the fold, whilst applying the downwards pressure.

Preferably, a paper folding device further comprising a second rotatablemember attached to said body via a second rotatable attachment means.This provides a more stable device for applying a downwards pressureonto the sheet of paper, which in use, distributes the downwardspressure over the two rotatable members, therefore preventing the devicefrom rotating about the digit when creasing the paper.

Preferably, said second rotatable member is adjacently disposed to saidfirst rotatable member. This maintains the device in a position beneaththe digit of the user, distributing the downward force over a widecontact area on the sheet of paper, therefore preventing the device fromrotating about the digit, whilst being moved when in contact with thepaper.

Preferably, said body comprises a first aperture for receiving saiddigit and a second aperture for ventilating said aperture said digit.This enables the user to insert their digit into the device for aprolonged period without any discomfort, because the second apertureprovides ventilation to the inserted digit.

Preferably, said first and second rotatable attachment means protrudeperpendicular from a curvature arranged within an outer surface of saidbody, whereby said rotatable attachment means is angled away from saidfirst rotatable attachment means in accordance with said curvature. Thisenables the rotatable members of the device to be held at a positionaway from the outer surface of the device, whereby their rotationalmovement is not impeded by any contact with the outer surface of thedevice. The curvature of the body determines the spacing of therotational members, and their increased contact area with the sheet ofpaper.

Preferably, said first and second rotatable attachment means are formedfrom a plastics material. This provides a lightweight, robust and costeffective means of mass producing the rotatable attachment means.

Preferably, said first rotatable attachment means cooperates with athird aperture disposed within said body; and said second rotatableattachment member cooperates with a fourth aperture within said body,This provides a light weight, robust and cost effective means forincorporating the rotatable members in to the device body via frictionfitting or the like.

Preferably, said body is formed from a flexible material. This providesenables the device to be placed upon the user's digit, whereby thedevice deforms about the digit as a downward pressure is applied to thepaper, This provides a comfortable fitting the user's digit, without thedevice digging into user's flesh. It also provides a means of applyingthe downward pressure without fracturing the body of the device.

More preferably, said flexible membrane is a silicone material. Thisprovides a device which can be moulded by a mass production means. Thesilicon also provides a device with an elastic function, which contractsback to its original shape when placed on the user's digit, thereforegripping the outer surface of the user's digit.

Preferably, said body is formed from a rigid material which fits overthe end portion of said digit. This provides a means of supporting theroller whilst directing a downward pressure on to it, without the bodyof the device deforming and impeding he rotation of the roller.Furthermore, this configuration also provides the means of protectingthe finger from any paper edges, which may cut or slice throughrelatively soft material.

More preferably, said rigid material is a plastics and/or metallicmaterial. This provides the means of mass manufacturing the paperfolding device easily and cheaply. Furthermore, this configuration willenable the device to be recycled at the end of its useable life.

Preferably, the outer surface of said device further comprises asubstantially flat portion. This enables the pressure to be comfortablyapplied on to the roller by the user as the pad of the finger or thumbspreads whilst applying the pressure. Furthermore, this configurationstrengthens the device's body, so that it doesn't distort, fail orimpede the rotation of the roller, whilst the roller is under pressure.

Preferably, said first and second rotatable members are substantiallycylindrically shaped. This enable the pressure to be continuouslyapplied as the device is moved along the fold of paper. The cylindricallength of the rollers allows the point of contact with the fold of paperto move up or down the roller, without point of contact relieving theapplied pressure,

Preferably, said first and second rotatable means are substantiallyspherically shaped. This enables the rollers to be used on an embodimentof the device which is smaller than the embodiment using the cylindricalroller. Furthermore, this configuration provides a means of accuratelyapplying on a small surface area of the paper fold.

Preferably, said first and second rotatable attachment means arespindles that cooperate with a first and second attachment portions ofsaid body. This enables the cylindrical roller to be rotatably mountedon the device via a moulded or snap-fitting means.

Preferably, said rotatable member is substantially cylindrically shaped.This enable the pressure to be continuously applied as the device ismoved along the fold of paper. The cylindrical length of the rollerallows the point of contact with the fold of paper to move up or downthe roller, without contact relieving the applied pressure,

Preferably, said rotatable member is substantially spherically shaped.This enables the roller to be used on an embodiment of the device whichis smaller than the embodiment using the cylindrical roller.Furthermore, this configuration provides a means of accurately applyingon a small surface area of the paper fold.

Preferably, said rotatable attachment means is a spindle that cooperateswith an attachment portion of said body. This enables the cylindricalroller to be rotatably mounted within the recess of the device via amoulded or snap-fitting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the paper folding deviceincorporating a single roller.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the paper folding device, whereby thepaper roller device is open at both ends.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the paper folding deviceincorporating one roller.

FIG. 4 shows a closed end view of the paper folding device incorporatingone roller.

FIG. 5 shows a an open end view of the paper folding deviceincorporating one roller.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the paper folding deviceincorporating two rollers

FIG. 7 shows a closed end view of the paper folding device incorporatingtwo rollers.

FIG. 8 shows an open end view of the paper folding device incorporatingtwo rollers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a paper folding device, generally indicated by 1. The paperfolding device 1 incorporates a substantially frustroconically shapedbody 2 with an aperture at one end, 3 and a closed tip at the oppositeend 4 of the body 2.

The body 2 incorporates a cylindrical roller member 5 which is locatedwithin a recess 6 of the outer surface of the body 2 of the device. Thecylindrical roller member 5 is rotatably attached to the body 2 of thedevice by two spindle elements 7. Each spindle element 7 protrudes fromeach end face 8 of the cylindrical roller 5. The spindles 7 co-operatewith and are secured by an attachment means, (not shown), which retainsthe cylindrical roller member 5 within the recess 6 of the body 2. Theattachment means are on or within the sidewalk of the recess 6. Thespindles 7 may be either moulded into the sidewalk of the recess 6, orclipped into position by snap-fitting the roller 5 and spindles 7 intothe co-operating snap-fitting attachment means. The body 2 and/or thecylindrical roller 5 of the device are typically formed from a metallicand/or plastics material.

The body 2 also incorporates a substantially flat bottom portion, aboutthe outer surface about the recess 6.

The recess 6 is substantially rectangular and sized to accommodate thecylindrical roller 5. The recess 6 may be in the form of a rectangularblind hole/or a rectangular hole to enable the rotation of thecylindrical roller 5 without the sides of the hole or aperture fromimpeding the rotation of the cylindrical roller 5.

In use, the user will place the paper folding device over the endportion of one of their fingers or thumb (also known as digits, whichextend from a hand) and will locate and align the roller with a fold ofthe paper product. The paper product is typically a paper sheet but mayincorporate other wood-based pulp products such as board, hardboard,cardboard, thick gauge paper, thin gauge paper or the like. The userthen applies a force onto the fold of paper by pressing the device ontothe fold. The pressure is then communicated from the device, onto thefold, via the roller. The pressing of the device onto the fold of paperproduct applies a force which is at right-angles to the movement of thedevice along the fold, Therefore, once pressure has been applied theroller is rotated along the fold of the paper product, which facilitatesin providing even pressure on the fold along its whole length. Therotation of the roller is typically 360° or more, but may be less ifrequired. The flat bottom portion of the paper folding devicefacilitates the rotation of the roller,

The fold on the paper product is located between the roller and aseparate flat working surface, which may be a top of a desk or adraughtsman's drawing board or the like. The pressing and roller of thedevice whilst located on the fold, presses the fold and causes a creaseto be formed within the paper product itself.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, whereby thebody incorporates a second aperture, at the end opposite the firstaperture, whereby the device substantially forms a tube that can belocated on a lower portion of the thumb or finger.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the paper folding device 1,which is generally indicated by 1. The device 1 has a substantiallybell-shaped body 10, with an aperture. 11 at one end and a closedfrustroconical configuration 12 at the opposite end, The body has rowsof elliptical apertures 13 located substantially about the body 1. Eachelliptical hole 13 reduces in size and diameter as they progress towardsthe closed conical end 12, which does not incorporate any apertures, Areinforcing rim portion 14 is located about the aperture 11. Thecylindrical roller member 5 is located along the length of the body 10,and protrudes from the body 10 via two protruding rotatable attachmentmeans 15. The roller member 5 incorporates a spindle 20 located at bothends, which shares the same horizontal axis as the cylindrical member 5.The spindles 20 are rotatably attached to the attachment means 15 viatwo sets of snap fitting jaws 16. The attachment means 15 protrude froma supporting plate 17, which is adjacent the inner surface of the body10. The supporting plate 17 and attachment means 15 protrude through thebody 10 via a rectangular aperture 18. The supporting plate 17 ismaintained in position by cooperating with the rectangular aperture 18in a friction fitting means. The square aperture 18 has twosubstantially triangular-shaped apertures 19, which are adjacentlylocated on either side of the rectangular aperture 18. The supportingplate 17 further incorporates two triangular supporting pads 21, whichlocate within the triangular apertures 19 of the body 10.

In use, the user will place an end portion of their finger or thumb,also known as a digit, through the open end of the device, whereby thecylindrical member is located beneath the pad of the end portion of thefinger/thumb. The user then moves the device across a sheet of paperapplying a down force pressure through the cylindrical member, whichcreases the sheet of folded paper. The elliptical apertures provide ventholes to the user's finger/thumb, thereby providing ventilation, whichprovides comfort to the user during prolonged use. The supporting plateis formed from a plastics material, which is more rigid than theflexible material used for forming the device body. The plasticsmaterial may typically be Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) orAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The flexible material of thedevice body deforms when down force pressure is applied to the devicefrom the finger/thumb, therefore preventing the device from splitting orcracking due to extended or excessive use. The material for the devicebody is typically silicon which is capable of expanding and contracting,and thereby gripping the outer surface of the user's digit. However, thematerial for the device body may also be Polyurethane (PU), which is asynthetic version of silicon and is almost 100% allergy proof, which maybe preferred for use in contact with the skin. Polyurethane (PU) is alsoa cheaper equivalent of silicon.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of the closed frustroconical end 12 of thedevice 1 which has no elliptical apertures 13. The rotatable attachmentmeans 15 protrudes through the device body 10.

FIG. 5 shows an end view of the device 1, through the open end 11whereby the supporting plate 17 is adjacent the circular inner surface40 of the body 10, and extend 180° about the circular inner chamber 40.The attachment means 15 extends from the supporting plate 17 through thedevice body 10 in a downwards direction, along a vertical axis. Theplate has two triangular-shaped pads (not shown—see FIG. 3) that arelocated on its outer surface which co-operates with the inner surface 40of the device body 10, and which protrudes through the triangular-shapedholes (not shown—see FIG. 3) within the device body 10.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the paper folding devicemay include bodies which incorporate different internal volumes, i.e.for locating the device on a range of differing finger or thumb sizes.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the device mayincorporate an elasticated body, which facilitates in a “one size fitsall” body for all finger and thumb sizes.

In another embodiment of the invention, the roller may be, in the formof a spherical roller, which may be rotatably attached to the paperfolding device by a locating the spherical roller within a bezel, whichenables the spherical roller to rotate.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the rotatableattachment means may incorporate a portion that protrudes from the bodyof the device.

In another embodiment of the invention, the body may be in the formwhich is substantially conical or pyramid in shape.

In another embodiment of the invention, the body of the device mayincorporate the high friction surface or coat which enables the usermanually hold and/or manipulate the paper product whilst wearing thedevice.

FIG. 6 shows another alternative embodiment of the paper folding device60, which is identical to the device shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, apart fromincorporating a second cylindrical roller member 30. The cylindricalroller member 30 is located along the length of the device body 61 andis maintained in position via a second attachment means 31, The rollermember 30 and attachment means 31 both protrude from the body 61 via arectangular aperture 32. The roller member 30 is rotatably attached tothe attachment means 31 via two sets of snap fitting jaws 33, whichco-operate with the spindles 40 located at both ends of the rollermember 30. Both the rotatable attachment means 31 and 15 are located ona large supporting plate 34, which is attached to the device body 61 viarectangular apertures 32 and 18. The supporting plate 34 has twotriangular-shaped pads 41 that locate through triangular-shapedapertures 35, within the body 61 of the device 60. Each triangular pad35 is located adjacent an outer edge of the rotatable attachment means15 and 31, which is not adjacent the neighbouring rotatable attachmentmeans. The rotatable attachment member 31 and 15 are tilted away fromeach other. This is due to each rotatable attachment member 31 and 15protruding perpendicular to the curvature incorporated within the body61 of the device 60. The angle of the tilt of the rotatable attachmentmeans 15 in relation to the neighbouring attachment means 31 is in therange of 35 to 45 degrees. The angle is determined by both the rotatableattachment members having a common radius and therefore having an angleof separation of 35 to 45 degrees. The distance between the rotatableattachment means 15 and 31 is determined by the length of the radius,therefore the longer the radius, the larger the gap separating therotatable attachment means 15 and 31. The shorter the length of theradius, the smaller the gap separating the rotatable attachment means15. and 31. The gap between the two rotatable attachment means 15 and 31provides the device 60 with an overall contact area, which makes contactwith a sheet of folded paper. The gap between the two roller members 5and 30 prevents any rotational movement of the device, therefore makingthe device 60 more stable as it moves across the sheet of folded paper.

In use, the end user's finger or thumb is placed into the device wherebythe two rollers are located underneath the pad of user's finger/thumb.The two rollers provide an enlarged contact area on which the devicemakes contact with the paper. The user moves the device across thefolded paper to form a crease.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of the closed frustroconical end 62 of thedevice 60, which does not incorporate any elliptical apertures 63. Thetwo rotatable attachment means 15 and 31 protrude through the body 61 ofthe device 60.

FIG. 8 shows an end view of the device 60 through the open end of thebody 61. The supporting plate 34 is shown to extend 180° about the innersurface of the device 60 and has an attachment means 15 and associatedcylindrical roller member 5 located vertically downwards, which in use,engages a paper sheet. The second attachment means 31 and its associatedroller member 30 is tilted/offset to a position on the supporting plate34, and protrudes through a second aperture 32 of the body 61 of thedevice 60. Both rotatable attachment members 15 and 31 are shown to beperpendicular to the curvature of the supporting plate 34. Therefore,the first rotatable attachment means 15 in relation to the secondrotatable attachment means 31 are shown to be positioned away from eachother which are characteristic of the two rotatable attachment means 15and 31 being perpendicular to a common curved surface, and sharing acommon radius i.e. the supporting plate 34. The offset between the twosupporting members, i.e. the angle of separation is approximately 35 to45 degrees.

1. A paper folding device adapted to be attached to a digit of a hand,comprising a rotatable member attached to a body of said device via arotatable attachment element, whereby said rotatable member rotates inrelation to said body; wherein said rotatable member, is rolled along afold of pulp based material and communicates pressure from said deviceto said pulp based material to form a creased line.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a further rotatable memberattached to said body via a further rotatable attachment element.
 3. Thedevice according to claim 2, wherein said further rotatable member isadjacently disposed to said rotatable member.
 4. The device according toclaim 1, wherein said body comprises a first aperture for receiving saiddigit and a second aperture for ventilating said aperture for saiddigit.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotatableattachment element protrudes perpendicularly from a curvature arrangedwithin an outer surface of said body,
 6. The device according to claim1, wherein said rotatable attachment element is formed from a plasticsmaterial.
 7. The device according to claim 4, wherein said rotatablemember cooperates with an additional aperture disposed within said body.8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said body is formed from aflexible material.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein saidflexible membrane is a silicone material.
 10. The device according toclaim 1, wherein said body is formed from a rigid material which fitsover the end portion of said digit.
 11. The device according to claim10, wherein said rigid material is a plastics and/or metallic material.12. The device according to claim 11, wherein an outer surface of saiddevice further comprises a substantially flat portion.
 13. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said rotatable member is substantiallycylindrically shaped.
 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein saidrotatable member is substantially spherically shaped.
 15. A The deviceaccording to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rotatableattachment element is a spindle that cooperates with an attachmentportion of said body.
 16. The device according to claim 2, wherein thefurther rotatable attachment element protrudes perpendicularly from acurvature arranged within an outer surface of said body, whereby saidfurther rotatable attachment element is angled away from the first saidrotatable attachment element in accordance with said curvature.
 17. Thedevice according to claim 2, wherein the further rotatable membercooperates with a further aperture within said body.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said further rotatable member is shapedidentically to said rotatable member.
 19. The device according to claim2, wherein the further rotatable attachment element is a spindle thatcooperates with an attachment portion of said body.